tressell

It can get boring doing the chippy on a Saturday night. If I haven't some decent podcasts to listen to, I can usually rely on a good book. Tonight's good book is a very good book, if not the Bible. Robert Tressell's "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" both entertains and maddens me to the core of my being.

"TRTP" is set in the fictional town of Mugsborough at the turn of the 20th century, and involves the day to day activities of a group of house painters - all of whom are underpaid and overworked, yet even enlightened by firebrand Socialist, Frank Owen, are unable or unwilling to help overthrow or change the Capitalist system. A better, prosperous life isn't "for the likes of them...."

The book was first published in 1914, and many of its' situations and dilemmas are as relevant now as they were back then. Consequently, its' message has helped radicalize many to the Labour cause - myself included.

Robert Tressell himself died in Liverpool in 1911 of ill-health whilst working his way to a new life in Canada.

Like most people, I work for a living. The conditions and quality of life I have as a result of my labours is fairly good - I could do better if I really tried, but it could be a lot worse. But everytime I read "TRTP" I get so angry. Because throughout my working life, aside from a short stint self-employed, I have been an employee receiving a weekly wage, whilst some of the bosses have accrued massive profits on the back of mine, and other workmates, efforts.

Some places have been much better than others, but a firm I worked for in Kirkby were the worst kind of slave drivers. I missed a lot of the worst excesses because I drove the company lorry and wasn't there as much, but they quoted for jobs at the lowest possible price and hired young lads on day release from college (so they didn't have to pay them wages) to do the lion's share of the manufacturing work. I left because the company foreman wouldn't stick up for the staff, even if he was right, and let himself and his minions be bullied by the two money-grabbing bosses.

The bosses lived in the opulent surroundings of Woolton and Formby, and raked in obscene salaries. They probably still do.

However, there is a local example of a company that defied the capitalist agenda for the betterment of its' workforce - the sadly missed Merseybus........

Merseybus was formed to take over the bus operating responsibilities of Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive. In 1992, facing financial difficulties, the company was sold to its' workforce for £1.

The company quickly took stock of the situation. It announced its prime intentions were to secure their operating territory and safeguard their jobs.

And it began to work. Not without problems. Expansions into Manchester proved worthless, but the local work proved profitable. The cash started to roll in, but rather than pay it out to shareholders, the money was used to purchase new vehicles. Between 1994 and 2000, nearly 400 new buses were delivered to the company.

Unfortunately, Merseybus made a crucial error. The company won two UK rail franchises, and their operation proved to be too costly to maintain. Struggling to stay above water, the bus profits only helped so much, before the company board recommended selling up, which they did to Arriva in February 2000.

They should've stuck to what they knew. For their part, Arriva have spent the last ten years cutting back on bus routes and hiking fares for the benefit of faceless shareholders. Bastards.